Bomb Kills 9 Civilians in Afghanistan

Source: New York Times

KABUL, Afghanistan — An explosive device ripped through a minibus on Wednesday, killing nine civilians and wounding seven others on a road frequently using by security forces and international troops in eastern Afghanistan, the police said.

Abdul Quyom Baqizoy, the provincial police chief of Khost, said the passengers on the bus, traveling from the town of Zazimydan, included women and children. Seven, one of them a woman, were killed instantly and two more died on the on the way to the hospital, Mr. Baqizoy said. Seven more people were wounded, of whom six were hospitalized, two of them in critical condition.

Mr. Baqizoy said the area where the attack took place was notorious for bombs and ambushes. “Afghan national security forces and coalition forces are always facing IEDs, roadside bombs and ambushes while passing the road in this area,” Mr. Baqizoy added, using the initials meaning improvised explosive device.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack close to the border area with Pakistan’s lawless tribal belt, where incursions are frequent as the resurgent Taliban step up a campaign against American-led foreign troops.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/world/asia/26afghan.html?ref=world